HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5029 Offered April 19, 2006 Commending Sunbeam Baptist Church. ----------
Patrons-- Tyler, Armstrong, BaCote, Barlow, Bulova, Caputo, Dance, Ebbin, Englin, Howell, A.T., Joannou, Jones, D.C., Marsden, McClellan, McEachin, Melvin, Miller, Phillips, Plum, Shannon, Spruill, Toscano, Valentine, Waddell, Ward, Ware, O. and Watts
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WHEREAS, organized in 1906 in a tiny school house, Sunbeam Baptist Church, in Southampton County, will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2006; and

WHEREAS, the 12 charter members moved their fledgling congregation to the Fiers store building and began to make plans for a new church building; and

WHEREAS, Sunbeam Baptist Church, built on land donated by the first pastor, the Reverend Dr. John Alexander Speight, was dedicated on May 3, 1908, and the church services were heralded in the May 8, 1908, edition of The Tidewater News; and

WHEREAS, Sunbeam Baptist Church grew and became an important partner with the Tidewater community under Pastor Speight, who remained minister of the church until 1914; and

WHEREAS, from 1914 to 1998, Sunbeam Baptist Church held joint Sunday services with the Newsoms Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, Sunbeam Baptist Church has been graced with 21 pastors over its rich history and the church flourished under the Reverend Kenneth Williams, who served the congregation with ardent compassion and enthusiasm from 1973 until 1998; and

WHEREAS, the congregation of Sunbeam Baptist Church, led by Betty Bailey, Sam Griffin, and Marvin Worrell, the unofficial church historian, has worked diligently to plan a memorable and inspirational  anniversary celebration; and

WHEREAS, Sunbeam Baptist Church will celebrate its 100th birthday on May 8, 2006, with actors in period dress, commemorative festivities, remembrances of charter members, dedication of a new flagpole and flag in the memory of members Michael Keith Barnes and Clarine Nixon Drake, and a new church sign in memory of Nancy Worrell Mowery; and

WHEREAS, Dr. John V. Upton, Jr., director of the Baptist General Association of Virginia and the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, will be the inspirational guest speaker at the anniversary services; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend and congratulate Sunbeam Baptist Church on the occasion of its 100th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Reverend Willis Switzer as an expression of the General Assembly’s congratulations and best wishes for a happy celebration and future success in the church's ministry.